Bibliotheca November Prompt: Versatility

November's Biblioethica theme is "Versatility". I've chosen to interpret this prompt in two ways! First, to show the versatility of "types" of mori outfits. And second, to share my personal favorite most versatile pieces of clothing that can be used in mori!

Personally, I find mori to be versatile in so many ways, so this prompt fits well.

Versatile Outfits

Mori as a style is incredibly versatile! If you are a long-time reader of this blog, you may remember way back when I used to make posts about theoretical "substyles" of mori, noticing trends in the style and showing how many different ways a mori outfit can look! 

Of course, these days, I would just place all of those "styles" under the main mori umbrella. And I think that is something that is so fun about mori. There is always a way to make the style unique to you, and to fit your own aesthetic preferences.

Let's look at a few!

White and Fairytale-esque

This style may be what you think of when you think of the "classic" version of mori. Full of white, lace-covered, flowing pieces, this style feels like a forest fairy right out of a fairytale!

Foresty and practical

Mori doesn't have to be white and lacey though! Mori may also be more practical, with darker colors and warm layers, suited to a fashionable hike in the woods.

Dark and witchy

Mori can also be dark and mysterious. Not only forest fairies want to look cute! Your local forest witch may also wear mori style.

Colorful and fun

Mori can also be colorful and fun! Especially early magazine outfit shots have many colors, patterns, and bright elements to add a unique look to your wardrobe.

Over the top and fantastical

 

Mori can also be extremes. With added accessories like antlers, or deer makeup, or extra layers, mori can be fantastical, like a video game character come to life.

Casual and cozy

Mori can also be casual and toned down, with simple layers and practical pieces. You can even sometimes find mori outfits with pants ;)

Versatile Pieces

When it comes to individual pieces, I'm sure many mori folk have a few basic versatile pieces they rely on to create easy, cute outfits. For me, I have four.

First is creme base dresses. They're such an easy layer to bring a piece together. The color goes with anything, and you can layer easily with skirts, blouses, and sweaters to create a great look. I've always had multiple in my mori wardrobe, but my favorite has always been the first one I bought, a linen piece I found at a thrift store. It would be way too small for me these days, even if I hadn't worn it so much that it had holes in the end! But I still remember it fondly.

An old photo of me wearing my favorite base dress.

Second is sweaters. Sweaters are not only cozy and allow me to hide my hands like a cartoon character, but also go well with anything. My favorite are long sweaters, which layer well with dresses, or sweaters with unique knit patterns.

Third is boots, particularly mid-calf, lace-up, leather (or in my case faux leather) boots. There's something about wearing a boot that is both practical for every day and somehow makes me instantly feel like I'm ready to go on a forest adventure. If you've never had your own pair of cute little boots, I highly recommend purchasing a pair!

A recent coord where I wore all three of these staples!

Lastly is shawls. I'm lucky enough to know how to knit, so I have knit my own shawl, and it is the best thing I have ever made. I wear it all the time! It makes any outfit feel mori, even basic ones with only a few layers. An absolute essential piece for me.

Another recent outfit with my shawl I made.

How about you? I would love to know the ways you've embraced mori's versatility to best suit you. Also, what are your favorite, most versatile, mori pieces? Comment below!

Bibliotheca July Prompt: Dolls

 Long time, no post! I've been quite busy lately, moving across the country to a new area of Japan, starting a new job, and traveling to new places! But as always, this blog is never abandoned, and I am back again!

This post is for the July prompt of "Dolls" for Bibliotheca! I had to jump in a create a post about mori dolls as soon as I heard it! There haven't been many mori dolls over the years, but I still had fun researching and finding some adorable dolls to share with you all. So, let's get started!

Pullip 

Momori Doll (モモリ)

One of the most well-known mori dolls you might find online is the mori-inspired Pullip doll named "Momori". The doll was produced in 2019 and sold on the official Pullip website.  The doll featured a floral and lace dress, cream colored cardigan, a fur collar, brown leather boots and bag, and a large lace and floral headband.

Pullip dolls were originally created in South Korea but have been marketed in Japan and worldwide. You can find more images and information about her here, or watch an unboxing of the doll by my dear friend Miwako!

Blythe

Dear LeLe Girl (ディアレレガール)

Produced in 2010 by Blythe, Dear LeLe Girl was a doll directly inspired by the natural fashion trends of the time, mori being a clear inspiration. Although not officially marketed as a Mori Girl, her box description and clothes clearly resemble mori fashion trends.

The doll features long red hair, a green dress with lace trim and large sleeves, a floral, embroidered apron, pink leg warmers, and brown shoes. She also has a flower headband and accessories.

Blythe Dolls were originally created in America but saw their largest success when revamped and sold by the Takara company in Japan. 

Bonus!

A Blythe Mori Girl theme was also produced for Android phones, although it is unclear if the doll featured was officially sold, or not. 

The doll featured had long blond hair, a white asymmetrical dress, a brownish green cardigan with lace trim, and large fur boots. The theme itself had various nature motifs and animal images. 

Maniac Mary

Maniac Mary is not a specific doll, but rather a creator of clothing and doll designs for various Dollfie Models. These days they produce more Lolita-inspired clothing for their dolls, but you can still find many images of their creations online, as well as on their Twitter profile.

Maniac Mary created various outfit sets inspired by mori fashion until 2014, selling them at various conventions and on an online store. Their designs feature lots of lace, layers, and small details, and often seem to draw inspiration from Cawaii brand photos, Pink House dresses, and other natural fashion brands and trends.

Dollfie dolls (ドルフィー), created by the Japanese Volks company, are one of the most collected types of Ball Jointed Dolls. Maniac Mary seems to favor various Dolfie Dream models, in particular.

Honorable Mentions

Kurhn Toy Doll 

A mori girl doll was produced by Kurhn Toy, a Chinese doll company. The doll can be found occasionally on Chinese wholesale sites, such as Aliexpress. However, not much can be found in English about the doll company. 

The doll itself is small, resembling Barbie dolls or Licca dolls. It features a large, voluminous pinafore-style dress with lace trim and matching pair of boots, a cream-colored undershirt, a small headband, and a brown and lace bag. The doll also comes in four color schemes, red, pink, purple, and blue.

Mori Girl styling of a Licca Doll by きせかえごと

An adorable styling of a mori girl Licca Doll was created in 2016 by still active doll styling blog, Kisekaegoto (きせかえごと). The doll's long, wavy brown hair is tied with two white ribbons, and she wears a lace and gingham dress, a white cardigan, brown boots, and carries a straw handbag.

Licca Dolls, also known as Licca-Chan (リカちゃん), are a popular type of doll created by shoujo manga artist Miyako Maki in the late 1960s. They remain a popular doll to style in Japan to this day.

Mori Girl BJD styling by ベビベビニッキ

Another adorable doll styling of a mori girl doll was done by still Baby Baby Nikki (ベビベビニッキ). This time, the doll is another Dollfie doll, and was exhibited at a toy exhibition in Tokyo. It wears a layered and asymmetrical dress of brown, white, and various kinds of lace, as well as a pink lace cardigan, and a brown bow necklace. Her long, wavy blonde hair is also pulled back with a headband.

Envisage "Mori Girl" Outfit

Although not directly related, a BJD doll called Envisage, created by Danny Choo, was marketed recently as having a "mori girl" outfit upon its release. However, the outfit itself is only very loosely inspired by mori fashion. However, the mention of the style by the doll's creator is worth a brief mention here!

I hope enjoyed seeing these lovely mori dolls! I have always loved BJD dolls myself, and hope to someday have one. How about you? Do you enjoy dolls? Have you ever seen any other mori-inspired dolls that I missed here? Please comment them below! Until next time, my deers!